WIPO Commits to Supporting Cameroon’s Intellectual Property Strategy Revamp

WIPO Director General, Daren Tang, recently concluded a series of meetings culminating in his attending the Heads of Intellectual Property Offices Conference (HIPOC) of African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI). This reportedly marks the first ever visit of a WIPO DG to both Cameroon and to OAPI headquarters. As part of the visit, the DG met with Cameroonian Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and key senior officials of the Cameroonian Government for a working session. The meeting focused on ways to assist Cameroon in supporting its Vision 2035 strategy using IP. The Prime Minister subsequently outlined his government’s plans for IP in Cameroon, which include the strengthening of IP legislation, promoting respect for IP, and incorporating IP into other areas of the economy. Mr. Tang, for his part, emphasised the importance of an “ecosystem” approach to developing the IP landscape of the country, and noted the significance of the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in encouraging intra-African trade.